Temple Songs & Prayers

(Said upon entering the temple room, and sung during many arati ceremonies.)

nama om vishnu-padaya

krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale

shrimate bhaktivedanta-

svamin iti namine

namas te sarasvate deve

gaura-vani-pracharine

nirvishesha-shunyavadi-

pashcatya-desha-tarine

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

Sri Sri Gurvashtaka

(Glories of the Spiritual Master, sung for early morning mangala arati,

by Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura)

(1)

samsara-davanala-lidha-loka

tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatvam

praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(2)

mahaprabhoh kirtana-nritya-gita-

vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena

romancha-kampashru-taranga-bhajo

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(3)

shri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana-

shringara-tan-mandira-marjanadau

yuktasya bhaktamsh cha niyunjato ‘pi

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(4)

chatur-vidha-shri-bhagavat-prasada-

svadv-anna-triptan hari-bhakta-sanghan

kritvaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(5)

shri-radhika-madhavayor apara-

madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam

prati-kshanasvadana-lolupasya

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(6)

nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai

ya yalibhir yuktir apekshaniya

tatrati-dakshyad ati-vallabhasya

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(7)

sakshad-dharitvena samasta-shastrair

uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih

kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(8)

yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado

yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ‘pi

dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas tri-sandhyam

vande guroh shri-charanaravindam

(9)

srimad-guror ashtakam etad uccair

brahme muhurte pathati prayatnat

yas tena vrindavana-natha-sakshat-

sevaiva labhya janusha ‘nta eva

Translation

(1) The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.

(2) Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(3) The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(4) The spiritual master is always offering Krishna four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(5) The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(6) The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krishna’s conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrindavana. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

(7) The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Shri Hari [Krishna].

(8) By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my a spiritual master.

(9) That person who very attentively recites this ashtakam to Sri Gurudeva during the brahma muhurta is sure to achieve direct service to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, the very life and soul of Vrindavana (Vrindavana-natha), upon attaining his vastu-siddhi, or pure spiritual form.

Additional Prayers Sung During Mangala Arati

The Pancha-Tattva Maha Mantra

(Jaya) shri-krishna-caitanya

prabhu nityananda

shri-advaita gadadhara

shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, along with His associates, Lord Nityananda, Shri Advaita Acharya, Gadadhara, Shrivasa and all the devotees of the Lord. (This mantra is very important and is known as the Pancha-tattva Maha-mantra. In order to derive the full benefit of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, we must first take shelter of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, learn the Pancha-tattva mantra, and then chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. That will be very effective. So this mantra is sung in most kirtanas before singing Hare Krishna, as well as before chanting japa.)

The Hare Krishna Maha-mantra

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

Translation

“Oh Lord Krishna, Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your devotional service.” (This is a simple call to the Lord and His energies. It should be chanted exactly like a small child crying for it’s mother. The transcendental sound vibration of this mantra is the essence of all the Vedas and non-different from Lord Krishna personally. In the temples, this mantra is sung during some portion of almost all kirtanas.)

Prema-Dhvani or Pranam Prayers

(Someone says these prayers after the arati, while everyone joins in with the “Jaya” at the end of each line. This is a very basic rendition, while additional lines and obeisances to other personalities and holy places can be said as well.)

20. All glories to the assembled devotees. (Hare Krishna) All glories to the assembled devotees. (Hare Krishna) All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Shri Nrisimha Pranam

(Obeisances to Lord Nrisimha, sung at the end of arati)

namas te narasimhaya

prahladahlada-dayine

hiranyakashipor vakshah-

shila-tanka-nakhalaye

ito nrisimhah parato nrisimho

yato yato yami tato nrisimhah

bahir nrisimho hridaye nrisimho

nrisimham adim sharanam prapadye

tave kara-kamala-vare nakham

adbhuta-shringam

dalita-hiranyakashipu-tanu-bhrigam

keshava-dhrita-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisha hare

Translation

I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stonelike chest of the demon Hiranyakashipu.

Lord Nrisimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrisimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrisimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.
O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one’s fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasp-like demon, Hiranyakashipu, has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands. (This verse is from Shri Dasavatara-stotra, the Gita-govinda, written by Jayadeva Gosvami.)

Tulasi-arati Kirtana

vrindayai tulasi-devyai

priyayai keshavasya cha

vishnu-bhakti-prade devi

satyavatyai namo namaha

Translation

(The first mantra is offering of obeisances to Shrimati Tulasi Devi. Srila Prabhupada explains that the Tulasi tree is a pure devotee of Krishna in the body of a plant. Worship of the Tulasi plant is very important in devotional service.) “I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vrinda, Shrimati Tulasi Devi, who is very dear to Lord Keshava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Lord Krishna and possess the highest truth.”

namo namah tulasi krishna-preyasi namo namaha

radha-krishna-seva pabo ei abhilashi

ye tomara sharana loy, tara vancha purna hoy

kripa kori’ koro tare brindavana-basi

mor ei abhilash bilas kunje dio vas

nayane heribo sada jugala-rupa-rashi

ei nivedana dharo sakhir anugata koro

seva-adhikara diye koro nija dasi

dina krishna-dase koy ei jena mora hoy

shri-radha-govinda-preme sada jena bhasi

Translation

O Tulasi, beloved of Krishna, I bow before you again and again. My desire is to obtain the service of Shri Shri Radha-Krishna.

Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you make him a resident of Vrindavana.

My desire is that you will also grant me a residence in the pleasure groves of Shri Vrindavana-dhama. Thus, within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krishna.

I beg you to make me a follower of the cowherd damsels of Vraja. Please give me the privilege of devotional service and make me your own maidservant.

This very fallen and lowly servant of Krishna prays, “May I always swim in the love of Shri Radha and Govinda.”

Devotees circumambulate the Tulasi plant while singing the following prayer:

yani kani cha papani

brahma-hatyadikani cha

tani tani pranashyanti

pradakshina pade pade

“By the circumambulation of Shrimati Tulasi Devi all the sins that one may have committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brahman.”

The Ten Offenses in Chanting the Holy Names

(The general order of prayers in many temples is that after the Tulasi puja, the ten offenses in Chanting Hare Krishna japa are recited, usually together with whoever is at the morning program.)

1. To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives to the propagation of the holy names of the Lord.

2. To consider the names of the demigods like lord Shiva or lord Brahma to be equal to, or independent of, the name of Lord Vishnu.

3. To disobey the orders of the spiritual master.

4. To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version.

5. To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krishna as imagination.

6. To give mundane interpretation of the holy name of the Lord.

7. To commit sinful activities on the strength of chanting the holy names of the Lord.

8. To consider the chanting of Hare Krishna as one of the auspicious, ritualistic activities which are offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kanda).

9. To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name.

10. To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments even after understanding so many instructions on this matter. It is also offensive to be inattentive while chanting.

Anyone who claims to be a Vaishnava must carefully guard against these ten offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success, Krishna Prema!

Now let us offer are respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnavas, devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls.

Shri Vaishnava Pranam

(Obeisances to fellow devotees often said after the early aratis and before doing japa)

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha

kripa-sindubhya eva cha

patitanam pavanabhyo

vaishnavebhyo namo namaha

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnavas, devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls.

Sri Sri Shikshashtaka

by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not do much writing, but was widely renowned as a scholar in His youth. Nonetheless, He did leave these eight verses known as Sikshashtaka. These explain the essence of His mission and the philosophy of devotional service to Lord Krishna. See the article on Lord Caitanya to learn more about Him.

(1)

cheto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam

shreyah-kairava-chandrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam

anandambhudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamritasvadanam

sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate shri-krishna-sankirtanam

Glory to the Shri Krishna sankirtana (congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names), which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. That sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.

(2)

namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-shaktis

tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalaha

etadrishi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi

durdaivam idrisham ihajani nanuragahah

O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names, you have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach you by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.

(3)

trinad api sunicena

taror api sahishnuna

amanina manadena

kirtaniyah sada harihi

One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.

(4)

na dhanam na janam na sundarim

kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye

mama janmani janmanishvare

bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi

O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.

(5)

ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram

patitam mam vishame bhavambudhau

kripaya tava pada-pankaja-

sthita-dhuli-sadrisham vichintaya

O son of Maharaja Nanda [Krishna], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.

(6)

nayanam galad-ashru-dharaya

vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira

pulakair nichitam vapuh kada

tava nama-grahane bhavishyati

O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name?

(7)

yugayitam nimeshena

chakshusha pravrishayitam

shunyayitam jagat sarvam

govinda-virahena me

O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.

(8)

ashlishya va pada-ratam pinashtu mam

adarshanan marma-hatam karotu va

yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato

mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparaha

I know no one but Krishna as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord, unconditionally.

Jaya Radha-Madhava

(Sung before morning class, written by Shrila Bhaktinoda Thakura)

jaya radha-madhava kunja-bihari

gopi-jana-vallabha giri-vara-dhari

yashoda-nandana braja-jana-ranjana

jamuna-tira-vana-chari

Translation

Krishna is the lover of Radha. He displays many amorous pastimes in the groves of Vrindavana, He is the lover of the cowherd maidens of Vraja, the holder of the great hill named Govardhana, the beloved son of Mother Yashoda, the delighter of the inhabitants of Vraja, and He wanders in the forests along the banks of the River Yamuna.

(Srila Prabhupada was very fond of this song and sang it just before his lectures. In Allahabad and Gorakhpur, Srila Prabhupada fell into a trance after singing the first two lines, and after some time he came back into external consciousness and said: “Now just chant Hare Krishna.” Srila Prabhupada said that this song is “a picture of Vrindavana. Everything is there–Shrimati Radharani, Vrindavana, Govardhana, Yashoda, and all the cowherd boys.”)

Mantras Chanted Before Class

Om namah bhagavate vasudevaya

I offer my obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva.

narayanam namaskritya

naram chaiva narottamam

devim sarasvatim vyasam

tato jayam udirayet

Before reciting this Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Narayana, unto Nara-narayana Rishi, the supermost human being, unto Mother Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, and unto Srila Vyasadeva, the author. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.4)

Shrinvatam sva-kathah krsnah

punya-shravana-kirtanah

hridy antah stho hy abhadrani

vidhunoti suhrit satam

Sri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.17)

nashta-prayeshu abhadreshu

nityam bhagavata-sevaya

bhagavaty uttama-shloke

bhaktir bhavati naishthiki

By regular attendance in classes on the Bhagavatam and by rendering service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.

Mantras Chanted Before Class Commentary

Sri Guru Pranama

Om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-shalakaya

chakshur unmilitam yena tasmai shri-guruve namaha

I was born in the darkest of ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.

Sri Rupa Pranama

shri-chaitanya-mano ‘bhishtam sthapitam yena bhu-tale

svayam rupah kada mahyam dadati sva-padantikam

When will Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada, who has established within this material world the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Chaitanya, give me shelter under his lotus feet?

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master and unto the feet of all Vaishnavas. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Shrila Rupa Gosvami along with his elder brother Sanatana Gosvami, as well as Raghunatha Dasa and Raghunatha Bhatta, Gopala Bhatta, and Shrila Jiva Gosvami. I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Krishna Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda, along with Advaita Acharya, Gadadhara, Shrivasa, and other associates. I offer my respectful obeisances to Shrimati Radharani, and Shri Krishna along with Their associates, Shri Lalita and Vishakha.

Sri Krishna Pranama

he krishna karuna-sindho dina bandho jagat pate

gopesha gopika-kanta radha-kanta namo ‘stu te

O my dear Krishna, You are the friend of the distressed and the source of creation. You are the master of the gopis and the lover of Radharani. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

Sri Radha Pranama

tapta-kanchana-gaurangi radhe vrindavaneshvari

vrishabhanu-sute devi pranamami hari-priye

I offer my respects to Radharani whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vrindavana. You are the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, and You are very dear to Lord Krishna.

Sri Vaishnava Pranama

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha kripa-sindhubhya eva cha

patitanam pavanebhyo vaishnavebhyo namo namaha

I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord who can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and who are full of compassion for the fallen souls.

Pancha-tattva Maha-mantra

shri krishna chaitanya prabhu nityananda

shri advaita gadadhara shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

I offer my obeisances to Shri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Shrivasa and all others in the line of devotion.

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Additional Pranama Mantras

(These, along with the previous ones listed above, are often used during pushpa abhisheka ceremonies)

Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Pranati

namo om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhutale

shrimate bhaktisiddhanta-sarasvati namine

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter of His lotus feet.

shri-varshabhanavi-devi-dayitaya kripabdhaye

krishna-sambandha-vijnana-dayine prabhave namaha

I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Varshabhanavi-devi-dayita dasa [another name of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati], who is favored by Srimati Radharani and who is the ocean of transcendental mercy and the deliverer of the science of Krishna.

madhuryojjvala-premadhya-sri-rupanuga-bhaktida-

sri-gaura-karuna-shakti-vigrahaya namo ‘stu te

I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the personified energy of Sri Chaitanya’s mercy, who delivers devotional service which is enriched with conjugal love of Radha and Krishna, coming exactly in the line of revelation of Srila Rupa Goswami.

namas te gaura-vani-shri-murtaye dina-tarine

rupanuga-viruddhapasiddhanta-dhvanta-harine

I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, who are the personified teachings of Lord Chaitanya. You are the deliverer of the fallen souls. You do not tolerate any statement which is against the teachings of devotional service enunciated by Srila Rupa Goswami.

Srila Gaurakishora Pranati

namo gaura-kishoraya sakshad-vairagya-murtaye

vipralambha-rasambhode padambujaya te namaha

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Gaurakishora dasa Babaji Maharaja [the spiritual master of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati], who is renunciation personified. He is always merged in a feeling of separation and intense love of Krishna.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Pranati

namo bhaktivinodaya sac-cid-ananda-namine

gaura-shakti-svarupaya rupanuga-varaya te

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda, who is transcendental energy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is a strict follower of the Gosvamis, headed by Srila Rupa.

SrilaJagannatha Pranati

gauravirbhava-bhumes tvam nirdeshta saj-jana-priyaha

vaishnava-sarvabhaumah sri-jagannathaya te namaha

I offer my respectful obeisances to Jagannatha dasa Babaji, who is respected by the entire Vaishnava community and who discovered the place where Lord Caitanya appeared.

Sri Gauranga Pranama

namo maha-vadanyaya krishna-prema-pradaya te

krishnaya krishna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namaha

O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

Sri Pancha-tattva Pranama

pancha-tattvatmakam krishnam bhakta-rupa-svarupakam

bhaktavataram bhaktakhyam namami bhakta-shaktikam

I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Krishna, who is nondifferent from His features as a devotee, devotional incarnation, devotional manifestation, pure devotee, and devotional energy.

Sambandhadhideva Pranama

jayatam suratau pangor mama manda-mater gati

mat-sarvasva-padambhojau radha-madana-mohanau

Glory to the all-merciful Radha and Madana-mohana! I am lame and ill advised, yet they are my directors, and Their lotus feet are everything to me.

Abhidheyadhideva Pranama

divyad-vrindaranya-kalpa-drumadhaha

shrimad-ratnagara-simhasana-sthau

shrimad-radha-shrila-govinda-devau

preshthalibhih sevyamanau smarami

In a temple of jewels in Vrindavana, underneath a desire tree, Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, served by their most confidential associates, sit upon an effulgent throne. I offer my humble obeisances unto Them.

Prayojanadhideva Pranama

shriman rasa-rasarambhi vamshi-vata-tata-sthitaha

karshan venu-svanair gopir gopinathaha shriye ‘stu naha

Sri Srila Gopinatha, who originated the transcendental mellow of the rasa dance, stands on the shore in Vamshivata and attracts the attention of the cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May they all confer upon us their benediction.

From the Brahma-samhita

(Sung during the greeting of the Deities)

venum kvanantam aravinda-dalayataksham

barhavatamsam asitambuda-sundarangam

kandarpa-koti-kamaniya-vishesha-shobham

govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami

angani yasya sakalendriya-vittimanti

pasyanti panti kalayanti chiram jaganti

ananda-chin-maya-saduj-jvala-virgrahasya

govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami

Sri Guru-vandana

(Sung during Guru-puja, worship of the spiritual master, by Shrila Narottama dasa Thakura)

(1)

shri-guru-charana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma

bando mui savadhana mate

jahara prasade bhai, e bhava toriya jai,

krishna-prapti hoy jaha ha’te

(2)

guru-mukha-padma-vakya, chittete koriya aikya

ar na koriho mane asha

shri-guru-charane rati, ei se uttama-gati

je prasade pure sarva asha

(3)

chakhu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei

divya-jnan hride prokashito

prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinasha jate

vede gay jahara charito

(4)

shri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu

lokanath lokera jivana

ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya

ebe jasha ghushuk tribhavana

tuya pade loinu sarana

jaya jaya prabhupada! jaya jaya gurudeva!

Translation

(1) The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krishna.

(2) My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.

(3) He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.

(4) Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds. We take shelter of your lotus feet. You are the friend of the most fallen.

I take shelter at your lotus feet

All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Gurudeva!

Sri Nama-Kirtana

(Another nice song sung anytime, but often after greeting the Deities,

by Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

(1)

yashomati-nandana, braja-baro-nagara

gokula-ranjana kana

gopi-parana-dhana, madana-manohara

kaliya-damana-vidhana

(2)

amala harinam amiya-vilasa

vipina-purandara, navina nagara-bora

bamshi-badana suvasa

(3)

braja-jana-palana, asura-kula-nashana

nanda-godhana-rakhowala

govinda madhava, navanita-taskara

sundara nanda-gopala

(4)

jamuna-tata-chara, gopi-basana-hara

rasa-rasika kripamoya

shri-radha-vallabha, brindabana-natabara

bhakativinod-ashraya

Translation

(1) Lord Krishna is the beloved son of mother Yashoda; the transcendental lover in the land of Vraja; the delight of Gokula; Kana [a nickname of Krishna]; the wealth of the lives of the gopis. He steals the mind of even Cupid and punishes the Kaliya serpent.

(2) These pure, holy names of Lord Hari are full of sweet, nectarean pastimes. Krishna is the Lord of the twelve forests of Vraja. He is ever-youthful and is the best of lovers. He is always playing on a flute, and He is an excellent dresser.

(3) Krishna is the protector of the inhabitants of Vraja; the destroyer of various demoniac dynasties; the keeper and tender of Nanda Maharaja’s cows; the giver of pleasure to the cows, land, and spiritual senses; the husband of the goddess of fortune; the butter thief; and the beautiful cowherd boy of Nanda Maharaja.

(4) Krishna wanders along the banks of the River Yamuna. He stole the garments of the young damsels of Vraja who were bathing there. He delights in the mellows of the rasa dance; He is very merciful; the lover and beloved of Shrimati Radharani; the great dancer of Vrindavana; and the shelter and only refuge of Thakura Bhaktivinoda.

Govinda Jaya Jaya

(Another nice song that is often used)

govinda jaya jaya gopala jaya jaya

radha-ramana hari govinda jaya jaya

Translation

All glories to Lord Govinda (the giver of pleasure to the senses and cows) and Lord Gopala (the transcendental Cowherd Boy). All glories to Radha-Ramana (another name of Krishna), Hari (Lord Krishna who takes away the material attachments of the devotees) and Govinda.

Prasada-sevaya

(Sung before honoring the Lord’s prasada–from Gitavali)

Sharira abidya-jal, jodendriya tahe kal,

jiva phele vishaya-sagore

ta’ra madhye jihwa ati, lobhamoy sudurmati,

ta’ke jeta kathina samsare

krishna baro doyamoy, koribare jihwa jay,

swa-prasad-anna dilo bhai

sei annamrita pao, radha-krishna-guna gao,

preme dako chaitanya-nitai

1. This material body is a network of ignorance, and the senses are one’s deadly enemies, for they throw the soul into this ocean of material sense enjoyment. Among those senses the tongue is the most voracious and uncontrollable; it is very difficult to conquer the tongue in this world.

2. Lord Krishna is very merciful and has given us the remnants of His own food just to control the tongue. Now please accept that nectarean Krishna-prasada and sing the glories of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, and in love call out “Chaitanya Nitai!”

Glorification of the Lord’s Prasada

(from the Mahabharata)

maha-prasade govinde

nama-brahmani-vaishnava

svalpa-punya-vatam rajan

vishvaso naiva jayate

“O King, for those who have amassed very few pious activities, their faith in maha-prasada, in Sri Govinda, in the Holy Name and in the Vaishnava is never born [again].”

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who are always engaged in chanting the holy name of Krishna and dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle and with the ruffians, because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord Caitanya. Thus they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who are very expert in scrutinizingly studying all the revealed scriptures with the aim of establishing eternal religious principles for the benefit of all human beings. Thus they are honored all over the three worlds and they are worth taking shelter of because they are absorbed in the mood of the gopis and are engaged in the transcendental loving service of Radha and Krishna.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who are very much enriched in understanding of Lord Chaitanya and who are thus expert in narrating His transcendental qualities. They can purify all conditioned souls from the reactions of their sinful activities by pouring upon them transcendental songs about Govinda. As such, they are very expert in increasing the limits of the ocean of transcendental bliss, and they are the saviors of the living entities from the devouring mouth of liberation.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who kicked off all association of aristocracy as insignificant. In order to deliver the poor conditioned souls, they accepted loincloths, treating themselves as mendicants, but they are always merged in the ecstatic ocean of the gopis’ love for Krishna and bathe always and repeatedly in the waves of that ocean.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were always engaged in worshiping Radha-Krishna in the transcendental land of Vrindavana where there are beautiful trees full of fruits and flowers which have under their roots all valuable jewels. The Gosvamis are perfectly competent to bestow upon the living entities the greatest boon of the goal of life.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were engaged in chanting the holy names of the Lord and bowing down in a scheduled measurement. In this way they utilized their valuable lives and in executing these devotional activities they conquered over eating and sleeping and were always meek and humble enchanted by remembering the transcendental qualities of the Lord.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were sometimes on the bank of the Radha-kunda lake or the shores of the Yamuna and sometimes at Vamsivata. There they appeared just like madmen in the full ecstasy of love for Krishna, exhibiting different transcendental symptoms in their bodies, and they were merged in the ecstasy of Krishna consciousness.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who were chanting very loudly everywhere in Vrindavana, shouting, “Queen of Vrindavana, Radharani! O Lalita! O son of Nanda Maharaja! Where are you all now? Are you just on the hill of Govardhana, or are you under the trees on the bank of the Yamuna? Where are you?” These were their moods in executing Krishna consciousness.

3. All glories to Shri Chaitanya and Nityananda. All glories to Shri Adwaita Acharya and His consort, Shri Sita Thakurani. All glories to Lord Hari, to the spiritual master, the Vaishnavas, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Srimad Bhagavad-gita.

5. I offer my obeisances to the feet of these Six Goswamis. Bowing to them destroys all obstacles to devotion and fulfills all spiritual desires.

6. I am the servant of that person who is a servant of these Six Goswamis. the dust of their lotus feet is my five kinds of foods.

7. This is my desire: that birth after birth I may live with those devotees who serve the lotus feet of these Six Goswamis.

8. When these Six Goswamis lived in Vraja, they revealed the lost holy places and explained the eternal pastimes of Radha and Krishna.

9. Just shout the names of Lord Hari in great ecstasy and worship the transcendental realm of Vrindavana while absorbing your mind in meditation upon the divine feet of the spiritual master and the Vaishnavas.

10. Desiring to serve the lotus feet of Shri Guru and the Vaishnavas, Narottama Dasa sings this sankirtana of the holy names of Lord Hari.

Gaura-Arati

(The evening arati song, by Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

(kiba) jaya jaya gorachander aratiko shobha

jahnavi-tata-vane jaga-mana-lobha

(Refrain:) jaga-mana-lobha

gauranger arotik shobha

jaga-mana-lobha

dakhine nitaicand, bame gadadhara

nikate adwaita, shrinivasa chatra-dhara

bosiyache gorachand ratna-simhasane

arati koren brahma-adi devi-gane

narahari-adi kori’ chamara dhulaya

sanjaya-mukunda-basu-ghosh-adi gaya

shanka baje ghanta baje karatala

madhura mridanga baje parama rasala

(Refrain:) madhur madhur madhur baje

shanka baje ghanta baje

madhur madhur madhur baje

(kiba) bahu-koti chandra jini’ vadana ujjvala

gala-deshe bana-mala kore jhalamala

shiva-shuka-narada preme gada-gada

bhaktivinoda dekhe gorara sampada

(Repeat first verse of song)

Translation

All glories, all glories to the beautiful arati ceremony of Lord Chaitanya. This Gaura-arati is taking place in a grove on the banks of the Jahnavi [Ganges] and is attracting the minds of all living entities in the universe.

On Lord Chaitanya’s right side is Lord Nityananda, and on His left side is Shri Gadadhara. Nearby stand Shri Advaita, and Shrivasa Thakura is holding an umbrella over Lord Chaitanya’s head.

Lord Chaitanya has sat down on a jeweled throne, and the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, perform the arati ceremony.

Narahari Sarakara and other associates of Lord Chaitanya fan Him with chamaras, and devotees headed by Sanjaya Pandita, Mukunda Datta, and Vasu Ghosha sing sweet kirtana.

Conchshells, bells, and karatalas resound, and the mridangas play very sweetly. This kirtana music is supremely sweet and relishable to hear.

The brilliance of Lord Chaitanya’s face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around His neck shines.

Lord Shiva, Sukadeva Gosvami, and Narada Muni are all there, and their voices are choked with the ecstasy of transcendental love. Thus Thakura Bhaktivinoda envisions the glory of Lord Shri Chaitanya.

Shri Damodarashtaka

(Sung every morning during the month of Kartika (October-November)

(found in the Padma Purana of Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasa, spoken by Satyavrata Muni in a conversation with Narada Muni and Saunaka Rsi.)
“In the month of Kartika one should worship Lord Damodara and daily recite the prayer known as Damodarastaka, which has been spoken by the sage Satyavrata and which attracts Lord Damodara.” (Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa 2.16.198)

(1) To the Supreme Lord, whose form is the embodiment of eternal existence, knowledge, and bliss, whose shark-shaped earrings are swinging to and fro, who is beautifully shining in the divine realm of Gokula, who [due to the offense of breaking the pot of yogurt that His mother was churning into butter and then stealing the butter that was kept hanging from a swing] is quickly running from the wooden grinding mortar in fear of mother Yasoda, but who has been caught from behind by her who ran after Him with greater speed – to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.

(2) [Seeing the whipping stick in His mother’s hand,] He is crying and rubbing His eyes again and again with His two lotus hands. His eyes are filled with fear, and the necklace of pearls around His neck, which is marked with three lines like a conchshell, is shaking because of His quick breathing due to crying. To this Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, whose belly is bound not with ropes but with His mother’s pure love, I offer my humble obeisances.

(3) By such childhood pastimes as this He is drowning the inhabitants of Gokula in pools of ecstasy, and is revealing to those devotees who are absorbed in knowledge of His supreme majesty and opulence that He is only conquered by devotees whose pure love is imbued with intimacy and is free from all conceptions of awe and reverence. With great love I again offer my obeisances to Lord Damodara hundreds and hundreds of times.

(4) 0 Lord, although You are able to give all kinds of benedictions, I do not pray to You for the boon of impersonal liberation, nor the highest liberation of eternal life in Vaikuntha, nor any other boon [which may be obtained by executing the nine processes of bhakti]. O Lord, I simply wish that this form of Yours as Bala Gopala in Vrndavana may ever be manifest in my heart, for what is the use to me of any other boon besides this?

(5) 0 Lord, Your lotus face, which is encircled by locks of soft black hair tinged with red, is kissed again and again by Mother Yasoda, and Your lips are reddish like the bimba fruit. May this beautiful vision of Your lotus face be ever manifest in my heart. Thousands and thousands of other benedictions are of no use to me.

(7) 0 Lord Damodara, just as the two sons of Kuvera – Manigriva and Nalakuvara – were delivered from the curse of Narada and made into great devotees by You in Your form as a baby tied with rope to a wooden grinding mortar, in the same way, please give to me Your own prema-bhakti. I only long for this and have no desire for any kind of liberation.

(8) 0 Lord Damodara, I first of all offer my obeisances to the brilliantly effulgent rope which binds Your belly. I then offer my obeisances to Your belly, which is the abode of the entire universe. I humbly bow down to Your most beloved Srimati Radharani, and I offer all obeisances to You, the Supreme Lord, who displays unlimited pastimes.

Saparshada-bhagavad-viraha-janita-vilapa

(Lamentation Due to Separation from the Lord and His Associates)

(Sung on the disappearance days of saints)

1

ye anila prema-dhana karuna prachura

heno prabhu kotha gela acharya-thakura

2

kaha mora svarupa rupa kaha sanatana

kaha dasa raghunatha patita-pavana

3

kaha mora bhatta-yuga kaha kaviraja

eka-kale kotha gela gora nata-raja

4

pashane kutibo matha anale pashibo

gauranga gunera nidhi kotha gele pabo

5

se-saba sangira sange ye koilo vilasa

se-sanga na paiya kande narottama dasa

1. He who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy–where has such a personality as Shrinivasa Acharya gone?

2. Where are my Svarupa Damodara and Rupa Goswami? Where is Sanatana? Where is Raghunatha dasa, the savior of the fallen?

3. Where are my Raghunatha Bhatta and Gopala Bhatta, and where is Krishnadasa Kaviraja? Where did Lord Gauranaga, the great dancer, suddenly go?

4. I will smash my head against the rock and enter into the fire. Where will I find Lord Gauranga, the reservoir of all wonderful qualities?

5. Being unable to obtain the association of Lord Gauranga accompanied by all of these devotees in whose association He performed His pastimes, Narottama Das simply weeps.

Putting on Tilaka

In the Uttara-khanada of the Padma Purana, Lord Shiva says to Parvati that in the middle of the “V” of the Vaishnava tilaka mark there is a space and in that space reside Lakshmi and Narayana. Therefore, the body that is decorated with tilaka should be considered a temple of Lord Vishnu. The Padma Purana also states:

vama-parshve sthito brahma

dakshine cha sadashivaha

madhye vishnum vijaniyat

Tasman madhyam na lepayet

“On the left side of the tilaka Lord Brahma is situated, and on the right side is Sadashiva, but one should know that in the middle dwells Lord Vishnu. Therefore one should not smear the middle section.”

One should pour a little water into the palm of his left hand and rub gopi-chandana (mud from Dwaraka) into it. When making Tilaka the following mantra from the Uttara Khanda of the Padma Purana:

lalate keshavam dhyayen

narayanam athodare

vaksha-sthale madhavam tu

govindam kantha-kupake

vishnum cha dakshine kukshau

bahau cha madhusudanam

trivikramam kandare tu

vamanam vama-parshvake

shridharam vama-bahau tu

hrishikesham cha kandhare

pristhe tu padma-nabham cha

katyam damodaram nyaset

tat prakshalana-toyam tu

vasudeveti murdhani

In accordance with the above mentioned mantra one should apply the gopi-chandana with the ball of the middle finger tip to make the tilaka marks on the twelve parts of the body. According to the Brahmanda Purana, one should not use the fingernail to make the space in the middle of the tilaka. One should place a thin damp cloth over the finger and make the space with that. Thus, when the tilaka is applied, the following mantras should be chanted:

The forehead–om keshavaya namaha

The belly–om narayanaya namaha

The chest–om madhavaya namaha

The throat–om govindaya namaha

The right side of the waist–om vishnave namaha

The right upper arm–om madhusudanaya namaha

The right shoulder–om trivikramaya namaha

The left side of the waist–om vamanaya namaha

The left upper arm–om shridharaya namaha

The left shoulder–om hrishikeshaya namaha

The upper back–om padmanabhaya namaha

The lower back–om damodaraya namaha

Finally, after washing one’s had, whatever water is left should be wiped on the top of the head in the region of the shikha (tuft of hair) with the mantra: om vasudevaya namaha.

In the Padma Purana it is stated:

nasadi-kesha-paryantam

urdhva-pundram sushobhanam

madhye chidra-samayuktam

tad vidyad dhari-mandiram

“That marking (of tilaka), which begins from the root of the nose and extends up to the hairline, which has a space in it and is very beautiful, is known asurdhva-pundra (tilaka). One should know it to be a temple of Lord Hari [Vishnu].” The Padma Purana also mentions that the tilaka marking should only extend three quarters of the way down the nose from the root of the nose, which is located between the eyebrows. The space in the middle of the tilaka should begin from between the eyebrows and extend up to the hairline. The marking on the nose and forehead should be connected. That is a perfect tilaka marking.